Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Well, Cooper woke up this morning and came into my room and said with all the excitement of a 4 year old, "Can you believe I'm four." I cannot believe how quickly time has gone by. It just seems like we brought him home. Cooper is our little miracle. He was born nine weeks early weighing 3 pounds and 6 ounces and 17 inches long. He was a fighter. He was hooked up to all kinds of tubes and the nurses said he kept pulling them. At one point early on they had to sedate him so he would not pull them out. Those three weeks were a huge struggle for me. It was difficult going to the hospital every morning, afternoon and evening and see him hooked up to machines and monitors that made all sorts of scarry sounds that alerted the nurses to check on his breathing, his oxygen, and his heart. I had to give him back to the Lord and realized that he was not ours. I am so blessed and humbled to think that God chose me to be the mother of this four year old bundle of non-stop energy. I will never forget the morning I walked into his little cubicle and he was not hooked up to any tubes. All I saw was his sweet little face sticking out of his blanket. I called Chris and could barely get the words out "everything is Ok...I'm fine...Cooper's fine."

God answered so many prayers during those 3 weeks. We were told that he could be in the NICU between 6-8 weeks. I prayed so hard that would not happen and that he would be home sooner. Looking back on those days I am so grateful for the nurses who took care of him. They were the ones who loved on him, talked to him, and fed him when I could not be there. One of the pictures I posted was of Chris's hands around Cooper. Every night when I would leave I would just pray and ask God to strengthen him and that God would just hold him safely in His hands. I so badly wanted to hold him and be with him everyday all day but at the same time I knew God had placed us in the perfect place with the perfect nurses and doctors.

Cooper is constantly making us laugh...he loves life. Thinking about sweet Cooper just makes me smile. He LOVES "Cars" and is constantly changing his name to "Lightning McQueen" or "Chick Hicks". He likes to help. He asks me alot if I have a "job" for him to do. He loves to be outside and he adores his brothers and sisters. He still likes for his Mom to hold him (Chris thinks I baby him too much) :) and he loves his Daddy. I don't think yet that Cooper understands what a miracle he is but I keep telling him about his "baby years". Chris and I KNOW that God has such a special plan for his life.

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Hey Keli, you had me in tears reading about Cooper again. I am amazed at how little he was and how much progress he's made. His personality is certainly a gift from God. I love it! I remember being so scared for you guys when he was born so early, and really having to trust God that this was not going to turn out the way it "could". Thank God for His perfect plans for us all, eh? I scrolled down to read Chris' birthday shout out and you had me in tears again, and I'm NOT PMSing. He's a great guy alright. I'm glad you tell him, 'cause I guess we all need to hear it sometimes. Love you and all your kids (big and small), Riss

That story brought tears to my eyes! I remember those days - and praying for you all.God is so good.Brought back memories for me, as well and those scary times. Nothing compared to the miracle that is Cooper!Truly each one is a miracle and a gift from God.Happy Birthday, Cooper!

About Me

I am the wife of an amazing husband and mother to four blessings. I am living the life I have always prayed for and enjoy the new adventures everyday. I pray that my life will be a blessing to those around me and a testimony of God's grace and love which I don't deserve.